Dental modeling apparatus

ABSTRACT

The dental model pouring jig of the present invention includes a base member that supports a model base support member and a mold support member. The model base support member is secured to the base member and is capable of mounting a dental model base. The mold support member is adjustably secured to the base member and capable of mounting a mold of a person&#39;s teeth. The mold support member is adjustable relative to the model base support member to properly position the mold adjacent the dental model base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/215,370,filed Aug. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,507 which application isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to dental models and methods of forming dentalmodels. More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustable dentalmodel pouring jig and a method of using the same.

2. Related Art

Traditional dental model pouring jigs and apparati for creating a dentalmodel from a mold of a person's teeth have been in use for many decades.The model is typically formed by having a patient bite into a pliantcasting material, which cures to create a mold cavity having a negativeimpression of the patient's teeth and gums. The mold can be of all orany portion of the patient's gum line. A castable material is thenpoured into the negative impression to create a stone replica or dentalmodel of the patient's teeth and gums.

The primary function of a dental pouring jig is to hold the mold of aperson's teeth and position pins adjacent the mold when creating a modelof the teeth using a model forming (castable) material. In the past, thepins were commonly clipped or temporarily secured to a flat disk thatwas held in position by features of the pouring jig. More recently, thepin positioned by first drilling a hole into a model of the teeth thathas been formed by filling the mold of a person's teeth with a modelforming material and then gluing the pin into the hole.

Known pouring jigs have many disadvantages. For example, the adjustmentfeatures of known pouring jigs, if available, are typically awkward anddifficult to adjust with any degree of precision. Further, typicallyonly the feature holding the mold or the feature holding the pins isadjustable. With this limited adjustability, it is difficult to positionthe mold and pins in a precise way relative to each other either whenpreparing to pour a dental model using the pouring jig.

Another disadvantage of known pouring jigs is the amount of time ittakes to make adjustments to the jig and the ability to recreate thesame adjusted position. Also, known pouring jigs are typicallyconfigured for a single mold and dental model base size, such as, forexample, sizes that reflect a large, medium and small sized mouths. Ayet further limitation of known pouring jigs is that they are configuredfor either a quadrant or a full arch dental model base, but notcompatible for both a quadrant and full arch dental model base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to dental models and methods andapparati for forming dental models from a mold of a person's teeth. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to adjustable dental model pouringjigs and a method of using the pouring jig to create a dental model froma mold of a person's teeth. The pouring jig includes a base member thatsupports a model base support member and a mold support member. Themodel base support member is secured to the base member and is capableof mounting a dental model base. The mold support member is adjustablysecured to the base member and capable of mounting a mold of a person'steeth. The mold support member is adjustable relative to the model basesupport member to properly position a mold of a person's teeth adjacentthe dental model base.

In other embodiments, the pouring jig may include a mold support memberthat is adjustable in two planes relative to a plane of the base member.The base member may include a locking mechanism that fixes the moldsupport member to the base member in an adjusted position. The moldsupport member may also include a mold platform that is pivotallysecured to the mold support member and configured to mount a mold of aperson's teeth. Further, the model base support member may include afirst portion secured to the base member and a second portion, pivotallymounted to the first portion, that is configured to mount a model baseattachment plate.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. TheFigures and the detailed description that follow more particularlyexemplify a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventionin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one example of a dental modelpouring jig according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the pouring jig of FIG. 1 with aportion of the base member and the dental model base removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a portion of one example of a base memberlocking mechanism according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one example of a stand portion of the moldsupport member according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one example of a mold platform and moldplatform adjuster according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of one example of a dental modelpouring jig according to the invention having a mold of a person's teethmounted to the pouring jig;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a pin locator illustratingprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the pin locator shown in FIG. 7.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, the specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiment described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling with inthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is believed to be applicable to a pouring jig usedto create a dental model and the method of using the same. Inparticular, the present invention is directed to a dental model pouringjig that is adjustable in multiple planes and includes features withmultiple degrees of freedom. While the present invention may not be solimited, an appreciation of various aspects of the invention will begained through a discussion of the examples provided below.

Pouring jigs have been used for years to assist in creating a dentalmodel from a mold or impression of a person's teeth. Typically, apouring jig includes a member mounting a mold of a person's teeth and amember for mounting a dental model base adjacent the mold.

FIG. 1 illustrates dental model pouring jig 10 of the present invention.Pouring jig 10 includes a base member 12, a model base support member 14and a mold support member 16. Model base support member 14 includes afirst portion 40 secured to base member 12 and a second portion 42 thatis pivotally secured to the first portion at pivot points 44 with apivot member 45. The mold support member 16 includes a stand portion 60and a mold platform 62. The stand portion 60 is adjustable in all threeof the X, Y, and Z directions. The mold platform 62 is pivotallyadjustable relative to the stand portion. Thus, adjustability of thestand portion 60, the mold platform 62, and the pivotal attachment ofsecond portion 42, provides for a dental model pouring jig that isadjustable in multiple directions to facilitate the pouring and creationof a dental model.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the features of base member 12 are shown ingreater detail. Base member 12 includes a locking mechanism that may beused to lock or hold mold support member 16 in a given X-Y position on atop surface 36 of the base member (see FIG. 1). Locking mechanism 20includes a pivot member 22, a pivot point 24, a locking portion 26, alever 28, a cam portion 30 secured to the lever (see FIG. 3), and alever bracket 32. The pivot member 22 is secured at the pivot point 24on one end and is engaged by the cam portion 32 of lever 28 near anopposing end. Locking portion 26 is mounted to the pivot memberpreferably at some point between the pivot point and where the camportion engages the pivot member. The cam portion 30 preferably engagespivot member 22 at a point as far from pivot point 24 as possible inorder to create the greatest amount of leverage for disengaging lockingportion 26 from the mold support member 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the lever 28 and lever bracket 32 are shownwith greater detail. Cam portion 30 is attached at an end of lever 28opposite the position of a lever handle 29. Cam portion 30 is configuredto include a specific cam surface having a cam surface angle. Camportion 30 is also configured to restrict the rotation of lever 28 to apredetermined amount of rotation. In this embodiment, the lever handle29 of the lever is in the upright position when locking portion 26 is inthe locked position, and is rotated at about 90 degrees after lockingportion 26 is disengaged from the mold support member 16. In otherembodiments, the lever may rotate through greater or smaller angles ofrotation to engage and disengage the locking portion. FIG. 3 furtherillustrates a lever bracket cover 34 that captures the lever within thelever bracket 32. In other embodiments, a lever bracket cover may not berequired due to the particular lever bracket and lever design.

In this embedment, locking portion 26 is a magnet that is strong enoughto hold mold support member 16 in a given X-Y position on top surface 36of the base member 12. The strength of the magnet should be strongenough to hold the mold support member in a given position to prohibitthe inadvertent movement of the mold support member, but allow thelocking portion to be easily releasable for adjusting the mold supportmember.

In other embodiments, locking mechanism 20 may be configureddifferently, having different components and features for locking themold support member 16 in a given X-Y position. For example, the lockingmechanism 20 may include a ball and socket configuration wherein theball is secured to the mold support member and the socket portion, whentightened, secures the mold support member to base member 12. Anotherembodiment of locking mechanism 12 may include a threaded shaft with anut, wherein tightening the nut tightens the mold support member againstthe base member at a certain X-Y position.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the model base support member 14 will bedescribed in further detail. The model base support member may alsoinclude an attachment plate 46 (see also FIG. 2) to which a dental modelbase or pin locator 48 may be attached. The attachment plate 46 issecured to second portion 42 at connecting points 50, 52 and 54 withfasteners, adhesive, or the like.

Typically, second portion 42 is configured for a particular attachmentplate size. For example, there may be attachment plate sizes for anadult sized mouth (large), a youth sized mouth (medium), and a childsized mouth (small). Therefore, when creating a dental model from themold or impression of a particular sized mouth, the second portion 42may be replaced with the appropriate sized second portion by removingpivot member 45 and adding the proper sized second portion with thecorrect sized attachment plate for the correct sized dental model baseor pin locator. In other embodiments, second portion 42 may bepermanently fixed to first portion 40 such that an entirely differentpouring jig 10 could be used for each of the large, medium or smallattachment plate sizes.

An advantage of the model base support member 14 illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 is that the second portion 42 may be moved between a firstposition (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) that positions the dental model baseor pin locator adjacent the mold platform 62, and a second positionpivotally removed from the mold platform. In the embedment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, second portion 42 pivots 180 degrees between the firstand second positions so that in the second position the attachment plateand dental model base are facing upward rather than the generallydownward facing arrangement of the first position. While in the secondposition, it may be easier to mount the attachment plate at connectingpoints 50, 52 and 54, and also attach the dental model base or pinlocator to the attachment plate when preparing the pouring jig 10 forcreating a dental model. Also, when in the second position, it may beeasier to arrange pins is the dental model base and prepare the pins forinsertion into the mold by, for example, pre-covering the pins with alayer of model forming material to ensure that the pins are properlysecured within the model formed from the mold.

A further advantage of the model base support member 14 of the presentinvention is that it may be compatible with both a quadrant and a fullarch attachment plate and dental model base or pin locator. In otherembodiments, the connecting points 50, 52 and 54 may be configureddifferently for mounting different attachment plate designs or formounting a dental model base directly to the second portion. Forexample, there may be two, four, or more connecting points depending onthe design of the piece which is being connected to the second portion.

The configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to be compatiblewith an entire family of attachment plates and dental model base designsand configurations as shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. D429,815,D430,672, D433,136, D433,754, D444,559, D443,363, D456,904, D457,964,D457,963, D456,903, D457,636, D457,243, D456,902, D457,637, D464,432,D465,027, D464,431, D457,455, D464,732, D469,151, D468,432, D468,018,D481,797, D469,537, 5,788,490, 5,800,166, 5,868,569, 5,934,901,6,471,513, 6,884,068, 7,210,931, and 7,044,734 which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. This family of patents and patentapplications relates to, but is not limited to, attachment plates anddental model bases for full and half arch applications that includeremovable or fixed pins and are capable of attachment to an articulatorwith ball and socket and snap fit connection features.

The pin locator 48 illustrated in FIG. 1 is comparable in some respectsto the dental model base configurations referenced in the above issuedU.S. patents and patent applications, in that it is configured to bequickly releasable from the attachment plate and may include a varietyof different pin configurations. Pin locator 48 may include relativelylong pins (as compared to pins of a dental model-base) that extend fromthe pin locator for improved visual alignment and positioning of thedental mold relative to the pin locator. It is intended that after themold is properly positioned relative to the pin locator, that the pinlocator is replaced with a dental model base prior to forming a dentalmodel from the mold.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the mold support member 16 isdescribed in greater detail. The stand portion 60 of the mold supportmember includes a stand base 64, a bore portion 65 mounted to the standbase, a threaded shaft 66 insertable into the bore portion, a threadednut 68 secured to the bore portion that engages the threaded shaft, andan opposing plate 70 positioned adjacent the base member 12 on anopposite side of top surface 36 from the position of stand base 64. Theexploded view of FIG. 4 illustrates the relatively positioning of thesevarious features and how they may be a assembled.

The threaded nut portion 68 is secured to bore portion 65, but isrotatable relative to the bore portion. The threaded shaft 66 engagesthe internal threads of the nut such that rotation of the nut moves thethread shaft 66 within bore portion 65. In other embodiments, boreportion includes internal threads, and the threaded shaft engages thethreads of the bore portion. In this configuration, the threaded nutportion may not be required to move the threaded shaft relative to thebore portion.

The stand base 64 and opposing plate 70 are secured to each other andconfigured such that a protrusion 72 extending from the stand base maymove within a bore 74 formed in the base member. This arrangement allowsthe stand portion 60 to move in the X-Y plane relative to base member 12when locking mechanism 20 has disengaged locking portion 26 from thestand portion 60. When the locking portion 26 engages opposing plate 70,the stand portion 60 is locked or fixed against top surface 36 in agiven X-Y position.

To assist in centering and determining the X-Y position of stand portion60 relative to top surface 36, a groove 76 (see FIG. 1) may be formed intop surface 36 as a reference point.

The stand base 64 is designed in parts to keep debris and other foreignobjects from collecting on top surface 36 in the area over which standbase 64 may move in the X-Y plane. The stand base may include an outsidering or wall, as shown in FIG. 4, that engages top surface 36 to preventthe debris or foreign objects from moving under the stand base.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the mold platform 62 and mold platform adjuster80 are shown in greater detail. The mold platform adjuster includes aball 82 and socket 84 in a configuration that permits pivotal adjustmentof the mold platform 62 relative to stand portion 60 and the model basesupport member 14. The ball and socket are captured between an uppermember 86 and a lower member 88. Socket 84 is adjusted with an adjusterhandle 90 to loosen or tighten the socket, thereby loosening ortightening the mold platform adjuster to release the mold platform orfix the mold platform in a given pivotally adjusted position. Theadjuster handle 90 may include a grip member 92 or similar feature toassist in rotating adjuster handle 90 to loosen or tighten the socket84.

Lower member 88 is secured to threaded shaft 66 of the stand portion 60,whereby vertical adjustment of the shaft portion also vertically adjuststhe position of the mold platform and mold platform adjuster.

In other embodiments, the mold platform adjuster 80 may be configureddifferently while performing the same or similar function. For example,the adjuster may include a ball, such as ball 82, and a set screw thatis inserted through the upper or lower member to lock the mold platformin a given pivotally adjusted position. In a further embodiment, themold platform may be hinged to the stand portion so that it isadjustable in a single direction such as, for example, the arrangementof the first and second portions of the model base support member. Inyet another embodiment, the adjuster may include two or more separatehinges wherein each hinge may be separately locked to hold the platformin a given hinged position, thereby allowing the platform to be adjustedin multiple directions.

The mold platform 62 is configured to mount a mold or impression of aperson's teeth 100 as shown in FIG. 6. To assist in positioning the moldin a particular position on the platform, the platform may include araised lip 94 that extends around a portion of the platform. In theconfiguration of FIG. 6, the raised edge extends around a majority ofthe platform while leaving a space open for a handle 102 or otherfeature that extends from the mold for handling the mold. The platformmay also include divots or grooves 96 (see FIG. 1) positioned at variousplaces on a top surface of the platform that assist in positioning ofthe mold. Typically, the platform top surface is covered with a layer ofplaster 104 or other impressionable material that the mold is pressedagainst to form a negative impression of an under side of the mold sothat the mold can be replaced in the exact same position each time it ismounted onto the platform. The divots 96 ensure that the material intowhich the negative impression of the mold is formed maintains a constantposition on the platform top surface.

The various components of pouring jig 10 may be made of a variety ofdifferent materials. For example, a majority of the componentsassociated with the base member 12, dental model support member 14, andmold support member 16 may be made of metal, metal alloy, polymer-basedmaterial, or a reinforced polymer-based material such as, for example,fiberglass-reinforced plastic.

One embodiment of pin locator 48 is further illustrated with referenceto FIGS. 7 and 8 (a full arch design). A half arch pin locator designwould include the same or similar features described below. Pin locator48 may include a body portion 110 having a first major surface 112, asecond major surface 113, and internal wall 114, and external wall 116,a first end 118, a second end 120, and elongated pins 122 extending fromthe first major surface. The pin locator may also be configured withball and socket attachment features 124 and 126 at one end of the bodyportion and a latch attachment feature 128 at an opposite end of thebody portion from the ball and socket features.

The arrangement of the internal and external walls of the body portionrelative to the second major surface may create a cavity 130. The volumeof the cavity may vary depending on the thickness of the walls, theirspacing from each other, and the distance the walls extend from thesecond major surface. Preferably, the walls are as thin as possiblewhile maintaining necessary structural rigidity. In some embodiments,holes may be formed in the body portion that extend between the firstand second major surface that are sized to receive removable locatorpins that extend into the cavity. There may be a plurality of holes thateach represents a possible tooth location in a dental mold. Thus, thelocator pins may be inserted in the body portion in positions thatrepresent tooth locations, and then similarly positioned holes could beused for pins in a dental model base that is used in conjunction withthe pin locator.

In a further pin locator embodiment, support protrusions are formed inthe cavity that extend from the second major surface. These protrusionsmay include axially aligned bores that are aligned with holes formedbetween the first and second major surfaces of the body portion. Theprotrusions would be configured to support the locator pins. In anotherembodiment, the protrusions are configured to receive tapered locatorpins.

The locator pins 122 shown in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 are only exemplaryembodiments and should not be construed as limiting the pin designs towhat is shown. In other embodiments, the pins may have parallelsidewalls rather than the angled sidewalls shown. The locator pins mayalso include two or more parts that are secured together to form asingle locator pin, wherein each part has a different intended purposeand benefit. The locator pins may be secured to the body portion inseveral different ways, including, for example, adhering the pins to thefirst major surface, integrally forming the pins into the body portion,or inserting the pins into holes formed in the body portion (asdescribed above).

The ball and socket attachment features 124 and 126 are, in thisembodiment, concave recesses or sockets that are configured to engage aball feature that releasably secures the ball and socket together. Anexample of a ball feature is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 as part of theattachment plate 46. In some embodiments of the present invention, theball feature may be integrated into the pin locator and the socketfeature may be integrated into the attachment plate. When the ball andsocket features of the attachment plate and pin locator engage oneanother, they may be held together in part by latch feature 128 on thepin locator that cooperates with an associated latch feature 130 on theattachment plate (see FIG. 6) in a snap-fit connection. A similarsnap-fit connection may be made between the attachment plate and adental model base. Latch features 128 and 130 may, in other embodiments,be interchangeable between the pin locator and attachment plate.Although the latch features and ball and socket features of the pinlocator and attachment plate are formed at generally first and secondends of the pin locator and attachment plate, these features could belocated along the side or on the top or bottom of those parts, whileproviding a similar easy-to-use and adjust apparatus.

In addition to using the pin locator described above in connection withthe pouring jig 10 described herein, the pin locator could be adaptedfor use with other pouring jig configurations and other appropriatedental-related applications. The pin locator and the dental model basethat is used in conjunction with the pouring jig of the presentinvention may have different sizes, for example, small, medium and largesizes that generally match the arch sizes of children, youth and adults,respectively. The pin locator and dental model base may also beconfigured to represent an upper or lower arch of a person's mouth. Thepin locator may be made of a variety of different materials, such as,for example, various polymer-based material such as nylon, polycarbonateplastics, or other castable or injection moldable materials. Preferably,the pin locator is made of a material that is strong, rigid, and lightweight, and may, in some embodiments, match the material used for thefamily of products based on the patents and patent applications listedabove.

One example of a method for forming a dental model using a dental modelpouring jig according to the present invention includes providing a moldof a person's teeth, mounting the mold to a mold support member,mounting a dental model base to a model base support member, adjustingthe mold support member relative to a base member, and adjusting themold support member relative to the model base support member. The moldis then filled with a model forming material, the dental model base ispositioned to engage the model forming material, the model formingmaterial is cured, and the mold is separated from the model formingmaterial.

A more detailed description of one possible method of forming a dentalmodel using the dental model pouring jig of the present invention isdescribed below. The steps described below are not required to beperformed in exact order listed and may be replaced with more or fewerstep that may accomplish the intended purpose of the invention.

First, the correct attachment plate and second portion of the model basesupport member size is chosen for a given mold size. In order to changethe second portion of a model base support member, the pivot pin isremoved and the proper sized second portion is mounted to the model basesupport member. The second portion with the attachment plate attached isthen moved to the first position above the mold support member.

Next, the mold support member is centered below the attachment plate andthe mold platform is leveled. The pin locator is attached to theattachment plate and the dental mold is then placed on the moldplatform. The pin locator is intended to duplicate all of the relativelocations and dimensions of the model base, including pins that may bemounted to the model base. The height of the model platform is adjustedso that the pins in the pin locator do not interfere with the mold, andthe mold is positioned so that it is roughly aligned the pins of the pinlocator.

At this point, the second portion of the model base support member isrotated to the second position and the mold is removed from the moldplatform. Next, plaster or other formable material is applied to the topof the mold platform and a thin layer of plastic film or a like materialis placed over the formable material. The mold is pressed down into theformable material to create a negative impression that will allow themold to be removed from the mold platform and replaced on the platformin the same position. The second portion of the model base supportmember is then pivoted back into the first position to position the pinlocator above the mold. The mold platform adjuster, threaded nut, andlocking mechanism are then adjusted to position the mold relative to thepins of the pin locator so that the tips of the pins are within about0.25 inches vertically of the tooth margins of the mold and as close aspossible to the center of each tooth. Due to the quick release and easyadjustment features of the dental model pouring jig of the presentinvention, the adjustments to place the mold in a proper position ismade easier and may be quickly performed.

Once the proper position is established and the dental mold is trimmedand prepared for pouring the dental model, the pin locator and secondportion of the model base support member are pivoted into the secondposition, and the pin locator is removed and replaced with the dentalmodel base. The second portion with dental model base is then broughtback into the first position for a final check to ensure properalignment of the pins of the dental model base relative to the teethimpressions in the mold. The second portion is again rotated into thesecond position, the mold removed from the mold platform and the dyematerial (casting or model forming material) is then poured into thedental mold and returned to the mold platform. While the dye material isstill in a plastic form, the second portion is rotated to the firstposition, bringing the dental model base into its final positionadjacent the mold with the pins of the dental model base extending intothe dye material.

After the dye material has hardened sufficiently, the dental mold anddental model base are removed from the pouring jig. The model base andhardened dye material are moved from the mold, and the dental model hasessentially been created.

In other methods of using the present invention, the pouring jig may beused with a dental model base that has no pins and no predrilled holes.With the dental model base properly aligned relative to a dental mold onthe pouring jig, a marking apparatus is used to mark the dental modelbase at locations that represent aligned positions between the dentalmodel base and the teeth impressions in the dental mold. The holes maythen be drilled in the dental model base at each of the marks and pinsinserted in the holes that are aligned with the teeth impressions.

Various directions of motion and adjustment are described herein withreference to the adjustability of various features and parts of thepresent invention. A “direction of motion” as used herein may be broadlydefined to include several different types of motion, such as, forexample, rotational motion, translational motion, and pivotal motion,and movement in all directions within that type of motion. For example,there is translational motion in the X, Y and Z axial directions as wellas translational motion in each of the XY, XZ, and YZ planes. Rotationalmotion can also be defined within the context of an XYZ coordinatesystem. Pivotal motion, although closely related to rotational motion,may be useful in describing the motion of some features of the presentinvention, such as the pivotal motion of platform 62 about a singlepoint defined by the ball and socket connection of the platform to thestand 60. Although motion can be defined in more complex ways, the abovedescribe directions of motion define the directions of motion primarilyused by the features of the present invention.

The various adjustment features of the present invention could berearranged in alternative embodiments to provide adjustability indifferent ways than that shown in the Figures. For example, the ball andsocket pivot motion of platform 62 relative to stand 60 could beimplemented into the model support member. In another example, themagnetic adjustment mechanism, in a revised configuration, could beimplemented into the model support member or the mold support member topermit adjustments of those members in various directions of motion.Thus, the embodiment illustrated in the Figures and described herein isonly one example of the many different embodiments that may be realizedusing the adjustment features disclosed herein to provide a pouring jigwith quick and easy adjustability in multiple directions of motion.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A dental model pouring jig adapted and configured to mount a dentalmodel base, the dental model base including a model support surface andopposing end surfaces, the model support surface being configured tosupport a dental model formed from a dental mold, one of the endsurfaces of the dental model base including a first snap-fit connectionfeature, the other of the end surfaces of the dental model baseincluding one of a ball feature or a socket feature, the dental modelpouring jig comprising; a base member having a mounting surface arrangedin a generally horizontal plane; a mold support member extending fromthe mounting surface of the base member in a generally verticaldirection, the mold support member configured to support a mold of aperson's teeth; and a model base support member extending from themounting surface of the base member in a generally vertical direction,the model base support member adapted and configured to mount the dentalmodel base to the pouring jig, the model base support member including asecond snap-fit connection feature and one of the ball feature or thesocket feature not included on the dental model base, wherein the secondsnap-fit connection feature is configured to releaseably engage with thefirst snap-fit connection feature to provide a snap-fit connectionbetween the model base support member and the dental model base, and theball and socket features of the dental model base and model base supportmember configured to releaseably engage each other.
 2. The pouring jigof claim 1 wherein the first snap-fit connection feature includes a balland the second snap-fit connection feature includes a socket.
 3. Thepouring jig of claim 1 wherein the model base support member is adaptedand configured to mount a pin locator in place of the dental model base,wherein the pin locator includes a pin support surface, a plurality oflocating pins extending from the pin support surface, and opposing endsurfaces, the plurality of pins arranged for alignment with at leastsome teeth impressions in the mold, and at least one of the pin locatorend surfaces includes a third snap-fit connection feature configured toreleaseably engage with the second snap-fit connection feature toprovide a snap-fit connection between the model base support member andthe pin locator.
 4. The pouring jig of claim 3, wherein the pin locatorwhen mounted to the pouring jig, provides a reference point fororienting the mold relative to the base member prior to mounting thedental model base to the model base support member, the pin locatorbeing configured to not mount a dental model formed from the mold of aperson's teeth.
 5. The pouring jig of claim 3, wherein the secondsnap-fit connection feature includes one of a recess or a latchprotrusion and the third snap-fit connection feature includes the otherof the recess and the latch protrusion, the recess and latch protrusionconfigured to releaseably mate with each other.
 6. The pouring jig ofclaim 1, wherein the first snap-fit connection feature includes one of arecess or a latch protrusion, and the second snap-fit connection featureincludes the other of the recess and the latch protrusion, the recessand latch protrusion configured to releaseably mate with each other. 7.The pouring jig of claim 1, the model base support member furthercomprising an attachment plate, the attachment plate releaseably mountedto the model base support member and including the second snap-fitconnection feature.
 8. The pouring jig of claim 7, wherein theattachment plate include one of the ball feature or the socket feature.9. The pouring jig of claim 7, wherein the attachment plate is securedto the pouring jig with at least one fastener.
 10. The pouring jig ofclaim 1, wherein a position of a portion of the model base supportmember is adjustable relative to the mold support member.
 11. Thepouring jig of claim 10, wherein a position of the mold support memberis adjustable relative to the base member in a plane parallel to themounting surface.
 12. The pouring jig of claim 10, wherein the moldsupport member is adjustable relative to the model base support memberto position the mold relative to the dental model base.
 13. A method ofcreating a dental model from a mold of a person's teeth using a dentalmodel pouring jig and a dental model base that supports the dentalmodel, the pouring jig comprising a base member, a model base supportmember secured to the base member, and a mold support member secured tothe base member, the model base support member having a first snap-fitconnection feature and one of a ball feature and a socket feature, themodel base support member including a second snap-fit connection featureand the other of the ball feature and the socket feature, the methodcomprising the steps of: mounting the mold to the mold support member;mounting a dental model base to the model base support member with asnap-fit connection, wherein mounting the dental model base includesfirst engaging the ball and socket features of the dental model base andmodel base support member followed by engaging the first and secondsnap-fit connection features to create the snap-fit connection; fillingthe mold with a model forming material; engaging the dental model basewith the model forming material; and curing the model forming materialto form the dental model.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstsnap-fit connection feature includes one of a recess feature and a latchprotrusion, wherein the second snap-fit connection feature includes theother one of the recess feature and the latch protrusion.
 15. The methodof claim 13, further comprising the step of mounting a pin locator tothe pouring jig with a snap-fit connection prior to the step of mountingthe dental model base, the pin locator including a pin mounting surface,a plurality of locating pins extending from the pin mounting surface,and a third snap-fit connection feature, the third snap-fit connectionfeature configured to engage the second snap-fit connection feature,wherein the pin locator is not configured to mount the dental model. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: aligning thelocating pins with teeth impressions in the mold; and p1 removing thepin locator prior to mounting the dental model base.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the model base support member includes an attachmentplate, the attachment plate including the second snap-fit connectionfeature, and mounting the dental model base includes mounting to theattachment plate with the snap-fit connection.
 18. The method of claim13, wherein the dental model base is removable from the pouring jig byreleasing the snap-fit connection, and the dental model base isreplaceable by another dental model base.
 19. The method of claim 13,further comprising adjusting the mold support member relative to thebase member and relative to the model base support member to align themold with the dental model base.
 20. A pouring jig, comprising: a base,the base including a mounting surface; a mold support member extendingfrom the base and configured for supporting a mold of a patient's teeth,the mold support member including a platform and a stand member, thestand member configured to support the platform at a positioned elevatedabove the mounting surface of the base; and a model support memberextending from the base, the model support member being adapted andconfigured for mounting a dental model base to the pouring jig with asnap-fit connection arrangement.
 21. The pouring jig of claim 20,wherein the mold support member is adjustable secured to the base andmovable relative to the model support member and relative to the basemember in a plurality of directions of movement.
 22. The pouring jig ofclaim 20, wherein the model support member includes one of a ballfeature or a socket feature that engages a first end surface of thedental model base, and a snap-fit connection feature that engages anopposing end surface of the dental model base.